PGC NEWS

Life Is Strange: True Colors, developed by Deck Nine (the studio behind Life Is Strange: Before the Storm), continues the beloved narrative adventure series. This installment follows Alex Chen, a young woman with a unique gift – and curse – of experiencing the emotions of others. Does True Colors live up to the legacy of its predecessors? This review explores the game’s strengths and weaknesses, delving into its captivating narrative, stunning visuals, and emotional impact.

Alex Chen in Haven Springs

At the heart of True Colors lies a compelling narrative anchored by a cast of well-developed characters. Alex’s journey in the seemingly idyllic town of Haven Springs is filled with both heartwarming everyday moments and thrilling twists, drawing players deeper into the mystery surrounding her arrival and the secrets held within the town.

A Powerful Gift: Empathy and Emotional Manipulation

Alex’s power to experience the emotions of others is the game’s core mechanic. While it may sound less impactful than time manipulation or telekinesis, Deck Nine effectively demonstrates the potential of this ability. Alex can tap into the emotional landscape of others, influencing their thoughts and actions, offering a unique gameplay experience.

Alex using her power

This power allows players to unravel the mysteries of Haven Springs, uncovering hidden details and side quests. It also significantly impacts the main narrative, allowing players to shape the relationships and reactions of key characters. Similar to The Witcher 3, True Colors presents choices that aren’t explicitly right or wrong, focusing on the player’s moral compass.

Alex interacting with a resident

The game keeps the experience fresh by introducing diverse gameplay elements. From eavesdropping on townsfolk to engaging in a fantastical role-playing sequence reminiscent of Final Fantasy, True Colors offers a variety of activities that enhance the narrative.

A Visual and Auditory Feast

True Colors boasts stunning visuals, especially in its character models and facial animations. The emotions conveyed through nuanced expressions add depth and realism to the characters, creating a truly immersive experience.

A scene from the LARP sequence

The game maintains the series’ signature art style, blending a painterly aesthetic with modern rendering techniques. The environments, while not overly detailed, are beautifully crafted, with a vibrant color palette that reflects the emotional tone of the narrative. Haven Springs feels like a place you could get lost in, a testament to the game’s artistic direction.

The soundtrack is another highlight, featuring a curated selection of licensed music that perfectly complements the emotional narrative. A particularly memorable moment features Alex playing and singing Radiohead’s “Creep,” evoking a similar scene from The Last of Us Part 2. The ambient sounds and voice acting further enhance the immersive experience, capturing the essence of small-town life and the emotional depth of the characters.

Haven Springs scenery

Room for Improvement: A Safe Approach to Gameplay

While True Colors excels in storytelling and presentation, the gameplay itself feels somewhat safe. The puzzles are relatively simple, and the challenge lies more in making choices that resonate with the player’s values. This simplified approach to gameplay might disappoint players looking for more complex challenges.

A Disappointing Conclusion

The ending, unfortunately, falls flat. While the game effectively portrays the consequences of choices throughout the narrative, the ultimate resolution feels perfunctory. Similar to Until Dawn or Horizon Zero Dawn, the multiple endings don’t significantly alter the overall outcome, diminishing the impact of earlier choices.

Alex in a tense moment

Technical Hiccups

Despite its visual beauty, True Colors suffers from some technical issues, particularly on consoles. While the “Quality Mode” offers a visually appealing experience, the “Performance Mode” significantly compromises resolution. Frame rate fluctuations are also noticeable, even though the game isn’t graphically demanding.

Alex reflecting

Conclusion

Life Is Strange: True Colors is a captivating emotional journey with a compelling narrative, memorable characters, and stunning visuals. However, the simplistic gameplay and somewhat disappointing ending prevent it from reaching its full potential. Despite its flaws, True Colors is a worthwhile experience for fans of narrative adventures and a testament to the power of empathy in storytelling.